Hat marking



R. K. REYNOLDS May 12 1925. 1,537,191'

HAT MARKI NG Filed Oct. 19. 1923 J-.l l "y 6/ --I llhlh// ma y INVENTORA'TroRNEY Patented May 12, 1925'. i

UNITEDA STATES PATENT OFFICE.

RALPH K. REYNOLDS, F DANBURY, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO MALLORY HATV' vCOMPANY, OF DANBURY, CONNECTICUT, A CORPORATION OF CONNECTICUT.

HAT MARKING.

.,Arppnciiqn inea october is, 1923.Y seriai No. 669,480.

To all whom tumor/coment: c

Be it known that I, RALPH is.. REYNOLDS, a citizen of the United States,and a resident of Danbury, in the county of Fairfield is thoroughlypractical and convenientlyA applicable to the Conditioneel practicaluse. Another object Vis to y,provide hat marking apparatus reliable inaction and vcapable of applying the Y,niark to 4the hatin `a highlyeiiicient manner. Another object is `to provide such apparatus compactin construe#4 tion and simple in operation. Y Other objects Vwill be inpart obvious :or in part pointed out hereinaiter.V

The invention accordingly consists in the ifea-tures of construction,'combinations of elements, arrangements of parts and inthe several stepsand relation and order oi each of the Ysame to one or more of the othersall as will be illustratively described herein,

and the scope of rthe application ofwhich will be indicated in thefollowing claims.

In the accompanying drawing` in which is shown oneoif the variouspossible embodiments of the lmechanical features of this inventionFigure 1 is a. side elevation.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional elevation in enlarged detail of certainparts detached 'from Figure l.

Figure 3 is a section taken substantially along the line 33 of Figure 2,Vand Figure 4 is a section taken substantially along theline 4 4 ofFigure 3.

Similar reference characters refer to `similar parts throughout theseveral views of the drawing.

Referring now tothe drawing in detail and iirst to Figure 1,` there isshowna supporting frame upon the base 11 of which issecured in properposition a bed 12 hai/2 ing a table portion 13. The upper arm V14 of theframe 10 forms a bearing of any desired type for 0uiding a vert-icalreciproeating rod or plunger 15. Movement vof k1923. c c p.

Considering now the constructionof the therod 15 is brought about by anysuitable'means as, "for example, by means of a lever 16 provided with ahandle 17L and piv oted as at 18 to the rod 15. The rear end of thelever 16 is anchored to the frame 10 as at 19 by means of a swinginglink 2O and is provided at its end with a suitable counterweight 21 ofsuch proportions as Ato 1 substantially counterbalance the weight of theparts connected withl the lever. In this manner the lever 16 and theparts connected therewith willretain the position in which -they arebrought to rest andthe operator manipulating the apparatus by means. off the handle`17 can nicely judge the amount of pressure which he appliesby means ot the handle. l f f VV`At .the lower end of the rod 15 ismounted a printing mechanism indicated generally vat 22 in vFigure 1,which will be'more fully described hereinafter. ne rod 15is aligned withthe 'table 13'and upon thelatterl are i placed one or more layers of ayielding sub` stance 23 -upon which the hat `24 to be printed issupported in inverted position as shown.V There are shown at 25 and 26indicating devices and mechanisms for properly positioning and centeringthe hat with respect to the printing device. These last .parts are shownonly diagrammatically in the drawing and are preferablyY constructed andoperated substantially asL described in Patent No. 1,477,282,

printing device indicated generally at 22 in Figure 1, reference is hadto Figure 2 wherein the lower portion of the rod 15 and .the partsassociated therewith are shown in enlarged detail. The lower end of therod 15 is of reduced diameter and granted November 5,

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this portion of reduced diameter is hollowed c About this sleeve portion22' rests ay ioo iusk

member 28 permits movement ot the latter` i upwardly against thevshoulder 15a, but

limits its downward movement upon the part n 27 as will be later des'ribed The lower end ofthe flanged portion 2,9 of the member 28 iii) isunder cutas at and registering with this under cut lower surface is a'fring member 31 secured to the member 28 as by kmeans of aV pair ofoppositely disposed 4mounted by first securing the die to the ring 31 byymeans of the screws 3l and thereupon securing the ring to the'member 23by means of the screws 32. The screws serve to correctly position andcenter the die.

Inside the sleeve-like portion 27 of the rod 15 is a cylindrical member35 preferably having a substantially snug it therein, but slidabletherein as is the sleeve 28 upon the outer surface of the part 27. Ascrew 37 projecting from the surface of the member into a slot in thepart 27 permits movement of the part 35 upwardly against the shoulder15", but limits its downward movement relative to the part 27 as will belater described. Therod 15 is recesses as atlfiS about the shoulder 15'Jabove the member 35V and resting in this recess is a compression Yspring39 urging themeinber 35 downwardly relative to the member 27. A passageel() opening into the recess 38 provides for oiling and at the same timefurnishes a vent to prevent air above the member 35 from interferingwith the. movement of the latter.

The member 35 has a lower flanged end portion I11 against the lowersurface of which rests a plate member 42 the upper surface of which isrecessed as indicated at A die member or stamp circular in;

shape and preferably cut from brass is secured against the lower surfaceof the plate preferably by means of a single screw centrally disposedand extending downwardly from the recessed part of the plate 42 throughthe plate and into the die member. The flange 41 of the member 35 andthe plate are each provided on their peripheries with a pair of slots lorespectively registering and preferably spaced substantially 1800 apart.1i pair of short metal strips 7 resting in these registering slotssecure the plate member ll2 Vto the flange 41 by a pair of screwspassing through each strip @i7 and into the flange 41 and the ringrespectively. This mounting of the die permits the die to beconveniently mounted and properly positioned and centered upon the plate-12 whereupon the registering slots 116 correctly position the plate anddie upon the flange 41 of the member 35.

As has been described with regard tol Figure 1, the hat 24 is supportedin inverted position upon the table 13 and correctly aligned andcentered withcrespect to the rod or plunger 15. ln the operation of theapparatus the rod 15 is forced downwardly by means of the handle 17, therod 15 carrying the printing device into engagement with the innersurface of the crown of the hat to mark the latter. The printingmechanisms assume the relative positions shown in Figure 2 of thedrawing when upon the ups'troke of the rod 15 subsequent to the printingof a hat and for the sake of clearness of description it will be assumedthat this stage of the operation prevails in Figure 2. in printing, thedies 33 and i4 engaging the hat, the member 28 bears against theshoulderl 15 and the member 35 bears against the shoulder 15" in whichposition tl e act-ive surfaces of the two diesare in substantially thesame plane. Upon move- -ment of the rod 15 upwardly the member 35 isforced downwardly from the shoulder 15b by the spring 39 to the positionshown in Figure 2, its movement being limited by the stop 37. t the sametime the member 23 carrying the die 33 is retained in its positionagainst the shoulder 15n by its friction with the outer surface of thepat 27. in adjustable spring pressed ball 9 mounted in the member -28and bearing against the surface of the part 27 may be employed ildesired to increase this frictional holding of the member 23 vupon thepart 27 as the rod 15 is raised. it will therefore be seen that theactive surface of the die ai remains in contact with the hat after thedie 33 has been lifted therefrom and that the rod 15 is raised the planeof the die '-141 is below that of the die 33 as shown in Figure 2.

in this position as shown in if' ire the rod 15 being raised as is shownn Figure 1 to liftl the dies a convenient distance above the hat, theplane of the active surface of the die 4ais substantiallg-,fY coincidentwith that of the lower surface of a ringshap'ed member 50. Thisring-shaped mem-` ber is supported as shown in Figure 1 by a bracket 51secured to the frame arm 14- for example and serves as a guide for inl;-ing the die member 111. 'lhe surface of the die l-/i being on a levelwith the lower surface of the guide 50 the inking roller ma;vv beconveniently drawn across the surface and the ink thereby convenientlyand evenly applied to all portions of the surface of the die del, andwithout danger of striking the die 33.

.is shown at the top portion of Figure 2, there is provided in the framearm 1e an opening 52 leading to the rod or plunger 15, in which openingis threaded a screw 3 urging a ball member against the Elli surface `ofthe rod '15 through a lcompression spring 55. The surface of the rod 15is provided with 'a groove or recessk 56l into which the ballv 54 isadapted to slide under the urge ofthe spring V55 when the groove 56comes opposite thereto. This groove 56 is so positioned on the rod l5that the meinber 54 restsv therein when the parts of the die mechanismhave reached, in their dp-- ward travel, the position shown in Fig 2with the surface of the die 44 in the plane of the lower surface of theguide 50. `The ball 54 thus yieldingly engages the groove 56 and enablesthe operator to readily tell where to stop the movement of the rod l5 tocorrectly align die'44 with the guide 50. The ball 54 thereforecorrectly positionsthe parts for inking, but does not lock the pluny geragainst easy manipulation in raising or lowering the same.

Spaced downwardly along the rod l5 from the groove 56`is a similargroove 57., Upon the die 44 having been inked as above described theoperatorraises the plunger 15 further until the ball 54 rests in thissecondv groove 57. Before the rod l5 reaches this position the uppersurface of the flanged part 29 of the member 28 carrying the die 33,strikes a stop 58'secuied to the Yframe arm 14 as at 59. This stop 58isV preferably yielding through a compression `spring 60. The stop 58thus engaging the flange 29 forces the member 28 downwardly relative tothe part 27 of the rod l5 and awayrfrom the shoulder 15a, such movementbeing lim ited by the stop 36. ySuchmovement of the member 28 brings thedie member 33 into position relative to the die 44 as indicated indotted lines in Figure 2, that is, the plane of the surface of the diemember 33 is now be-v low that of the surface of the die member 44. Thetwo dies are therefore in such relative positions when tlie"rodl5 hasmoved upwardly until the groove 57 is engaged by the roller 54. Whenthis latter condition prevails the plane of the active surface of thedie 33 is substantially coincident withr that of the lower surface of aring member 61. supported 'by the bracket 51 in conjunction withthermember 50.` The lower surface of the member 61 therefore serves as aguide to facilitate inking of the die Vmemis in position for inking, areshown in dot-V ted lines in Figure 2.

From the above it will be seen that there is provided means fordependably inking the two active vsurfaces of the printing deviceindependently of each other and ina highly satisfactory and convenientmanner.

The operator is enabledwithout ditiicultyto properly position theplunger 157th align the dies successively with their respectiveinkingguides which greatly facilitate the inking process. be inked indifferent colors or with different printing materials without danger ofthe collors overlappingV or ruiming into each otier.

` yThe dies having been inked as above def `y scribed and another hathavingbeen correctly positioned upon the supporting table,

the` plunger 15 is lowered by manipulation of the handle l? carrying theVdies into the interior ofthe hat Vand against the inner surface of thecrown. The outer die 33 being now in a relatively lower plane thantheinner die 44 engages the surface of.` the hat irstand upon furtherdownward move- The two dieportion's mayy ment of the, rod 15 the member28 carrying i the die 33 moves upwardly upon the part 2T until it bearsagainst the shoulderV 15a. During this movement of the member 28 theinner die 44 comes into engagement with the hat and the member 35carrying the die moves upwardly along the part 27 con pressing thespring 39 until its upperend Vcomes against the shoulder 15b. VThe vtwoin a clear cleaii-cutimpression.

There is thus Vprovided in this invention an artof marking hats whichmay be conveniently and rapidly carried on and which results in amarking of the hat which is highly satisfactory in appearance. The

marking may be applied in ser arate distinctivey colors which addgreatly to its attractive appearance insidev the hat. 'Furthermore themarkings are incapable of removal or substitution. The apparatusdescribed above is simple in operation and performs its functions in aposit-ive and dependable manner without the "need of great'manualskill.` The parts are adapted for rapid operation and are disposedfor convenience in positioning and removing the hats without. danger off deformation or soiling thereof.

As many possible embodiments may be iiade of the mechanical featuresofthe above invention andlas theY art herein described might be variedin various parts all without departing from the scope of the invention,it is to be understood that all mattei' herein set forth or shown in theaccompanying Vjury to the hat and as is requiredt-o yresult i l iicvdrawing is to be interpreted as illustrative p and not ina limitingsense.

I claim as my invention: l :1; In hat marking apparatus, in combina-`ment with the inner surface of the crown of said inverted hat, means formoving said die, and a member subst ntialiy einln'acingI the path ofmovement of said die at a point above said hat and having a smooth lonerface across which an inking roller is'adapted to be drawn contacting theoperative surface of said die to ink the same subsequently to thepositioning of said hat in inverted pesition for printing thereon.

2. ln hat marking apparatus, in con'ibination, means adapted to supporta hat, a printing die, Vmeans for movii said printing die to operateupon said hat, a device adjacent the path of movement of said die forguiding an inking roller over the surface thereof, and a stop device forpositioning' said die with respect to said guide.

3. l'n hat marking apparatus, in fombiziation, means adapted to supporta hat, a printing die adapted to move into and out of operative relationto said hat, means for guiding an inking device over said die, aidyielding means adapted to retain said die in operative position relativeto sai-i guide.

l. In hat marking apparatus, in comi i tion, means adapted to support ahat, a printing die, a movable member to which said die is connectedadapted to carry the same into contact with said hat, means adjacent thepath of travel of said die adal. ted to facilitate inking thereof, andyielding means adapted to engage said movable meinber to position saiddie in operative relation to said last means.

5. In hat marking apparatus, in combination, means adapted to support ahat, a printing die, a movable member to which .said die is connectedadapted to carry the same into engagement with said hat, means adjacentthe path of travel ofrsaid die adapted to facilitate inking thereof, anda spring pressed member adapted to engage a recess in said movablemember to yieldingly arrest the movement thereof and position said diein operative relation to said last means.

6. In hat marking,rr apparatus, in combination, means adapted to supporta hat in inverted position, a printing device mounted for verticalmovement into and out of engagement with the inner surface of the crownof said hat, said printing` device having a plurality of operative facesadapter to be separately inked, means for moving: said die, and aplurality of members spaced along the path of movement of said printingdevice above said hat, substantially embracing said path of movement andhaving lower faces across which inking rollers are-adapted to be passedrespectively to Contact said plurality of operative faces to separatelyink the same subsequently to the positioning` rear/,1er

of said hat in inverted position for printing thereon.

7. ln hat marking apparatus, in combination, means adapted to support ahat, a printing device adapted to move into and out of engagement withsaid hat, said printing device having a plurality of operative surfacesadapted to be separately inked, means spaced along the path of travel ofsaid printing device adapted respectively to facilitate hiking of saidplurality of surfaces, and means for consecutively positioning saidprintingv device in operative relation to each of said last means.

5%. ln hat marking apparatus, in combination, means adapted to ysupporta hat, a

printing device adapted to move into and out of engagement with saidhat., said printing device having a plurality of operative surfacesadapted to be separately inked, nie-ans spaced along the path of travelof said printing` device adapted respectively to facilitate inking ofsaid plurality of sui'- faces, and means adapted yieldingly to arrestthe movement of said printing` device to consecutively position the samein operci'ive relation to each of said last means.

S). ln hat marking apparatus, in combination, means adapted to support ahat, a priiting device adapted to more into and out of engagement withsaid hat, a plurality of guiding Vdevices positioned along the path ofmovement of said printing device adapted to guide an inkine` device intoengagement therewith, and means adapted to consecutively position saidprinting device in operative relation to each of said plurality ofguiding' devices.

lO. ln hat marking apparatus, in combination, means adapted to support ahat in inverted position, a plurality of marking devices adapted to beseparately prepared for marking, means mounting said devices for'movement downwardly into engagement with the inner surface of the crownof said hat, and means above-said hat for facilitating the separatepreparation of said separate marking devices for marking said hat.

ll. In hat marking apparatus, in combination, means adapted to support ahat, a plurality of marking devices adapted to be separately preparedfor marking, means mounting said marking devices for movement as a unitdownwardly into engagement with the inner surface of the crown of saidhat, and means adjacent the path of movement of said marking devicesabove said hat adapted to coact with said devices and position them withrespect to one another so as to facilitate separate preparation thereoffor marking said hat.

l2. In hat marking apparatus, in combination, means adapted to support ahat in inverted position, a marking device having a plurality ofrelatively movable marking il fi surfaces adapted to be separatelyprepared for marking, means mounting said device for movement downwardlyinto engagement with the inner surface of the crown of said hat, andmeans coacting with said device adapted along its path of movement abovesaid 'hat to separately advance Veach of said marking surfaces tofacilitate separate preparation thereof for marking said hat.

13. In hat marking apparatus, in combination, means adapted tosupport ahat, a marking device having a plurality of relatively movable markingsurfaces, means mounting said device formoveinent into and out 0fengagement with the inner surface of the crown of said hat, and meanscoacting with said device adapted along its path of movement toseparately advance each of said marking surfaces to facilitate separatepreparation thereof for marking said hat, said surfaces being adaptedupon engagement with said hat to move substantially into a common planefor marking.

14. In hat marking apparatus, in combination, means adaptedto supportahat, a`

marking device comprising a pair of niarking surfaces one substantiallyembracing the other and relatively movable, means mounting said devicefor movement into and out of engagement with the inner surface' of thecrown of said hat, and means coacting with said device adapted along itspath of movement to separately advance each of said marking surfaces tofacilitate separate preparation thereof for marking said hat..

15. In khat marking apparatus, in combination, means for supporting ahat, armember adapted for movement into the interior of the crown ofsaid hat, and a plurality of marking devices mounted upon said memberadaptedto be carried thereby into engagement withthe inner surface ofthe crown of said hat, said marking devices being adapted to beseparately preparedl for marking and being each movable relative to saidmember upon which they are carried to permit their relative positioningfor separate preparation for marking.

16. In hat marking apparatus, in combinatiomnieans adapted to support ahat, a

member adapted for movement intofthe interior of the crown of said hat,and a pluralityvof marking devices mounted upon said member adapted tobe carried thereby 'into engagement with the inner surface of the crownofsaid hat, said marking devices being adapted to be separately preparedfor marking and being relatively movable upon said member upon whichtheyare carried to permit advancement separately of their active surfacesfor separate preparation for marking.

17. In hat marking apparatus, in combination, meansfor supporting a hat,a mem- Y ber adapted vfor movement into the interior ofthe crown of saidhat, and a plurality of marking devices mounted upon said memberadaptedto be carried thereby into engagement with the inner surface ofthevcrown of said hat, said devices being adapted to be separately'preparedfor marking and being mounted upon said member for relative movementinto different planes for separate preparation for markingL and beingadapted to yield upon engagement with said hat and moved substantiallyinto a commonv rate preparation for marking.

19. In hat marking apparatus, in combination, means for supporting ahat, ahollow member adapted for movement into the in- I terior of thecrown of said hat, and a pair of marking ,devices adapted to be carriedby said member into engagement with the inner surface of the crown ofsaid hat, said marking devices being adapted tobe separately preparedfor marking, one thereof being Vslidably mounted within said hollowmember and the other theieofbeing slidabiy mounted exterior of saidhollow member whereby each may beadvanced before the other for separatepreparation for marking. l

20. In hat marking apparatus, in combination, means adapted to support ahat, printing means adapted for movement into vthe interior of the crownof said hat andr into engagement with the inner surface of said crown,said printing means comprising a plurality of separate marking surfaces,and means for positioning said marking surfaces to permit inking thereofin different colors by drawing an inking roller over each of saidsurfaces separately with-r out adecting the others. 2l. In hat markingapparatus, in combination, means adapted to support a hat, a

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pair of dies, and means mounting said dies v for movement together'toward the `inner surface of the crown of saidV hat, adapted to permityielding of said dies upon enc gaging saidsurface, one of said diesbeing permitted a greater yield than the other.

22. In hat marking apparatus, in combination, a plurality'of dies, meansfor supporting a. hat in operative relation to said dies,means'adapted-to move said dies into engagement with said hat, and meansmounting said dies to be alternatively movable relative to each other tobring' the active surface of each forward separately for separateinking.

23. In hat marking apparatus, `in combination, a plurality of dies,means for supporting a hat in operative relation thereto, means fOrmoving Said dies as a unit into engagement with said hat, and meansmounting said dies to permit movement of their active Vsurfaces intorelativelp7 different planes to separately bring the active surfaces ofeach separately forward of the other for separate inking and into acommon plane for printing upon engagement withV said hat.

24. In hat marking apparatus, in combination, a plurality lofrelatively.movable dies, means for supporting a hat in operativerelatie-n lthereto, 'means for moving said dies as a unit intoengagement with said hat, and means adapted upon removal of said dies'fr/ni engagement with said hat to separatelyv advance the activesurfaces thereof in succession for separate inl-- ing.

25. In hat markin apparatus, in combination a pair of relativeljvmovable dies, one embracing the other, means fer supporting a hat inoperative relation to said dies, means for moving said dies as a unitinto engagement With said hat, and means mounting said dies for movementinto relatively different planes for inlting and adapted to permityielding thereof upon engagement with said hat, one of said dies beingpermitted a greater other to bring the active surfaces of said two diesinto substantially the same plane for printing.

26. In hat marking apparatus, in combination, a plunger, means forsupporting a hat in alignment with said plunger, a pair of dies mountedin relativelyv movable relation upon said plunger and adapted to becarried therebf,7 into engagement with said hat, and means adapted uponmovement of said plunger away from said hat to separately advance theactive surfaces ofeach ofV said two dies before the other for separateinking.

yield than the Y 27. In hat marking apparatus, in combination, aplunger, means for supporting a hat in alignment with said plunger, apair of dies mounted in relatively movable relation upon said plungerand adapted to be carried thereby into engagement with said hat, aninking guide positioned adjacent the path of travel of said dies carriedby said plunger, and vmeans adapted upon said. dies reaching a positionadjacent said guide to advance the active surface of one before that ofthe other and in alignment With said inling guide.

28. In hat marking appa "attrs, in combination, a plunger, means forsupportingl a hat in alignment with said plunger, a pair of dies mountedin relatively movable relation upon said plunger and adapted to brcarried therebyY inte engagement With said hat, an inling guidepositioned adjacent the path of tra-vel of said dies carried by saidplunger, means adapted upon said dies reaching a position adjacent saidguide. to advance the active surface of one before that of the other andin alignment with said inking guide, a second inling guide posi tionedadjacent the path of travel of said dies, and means adapted upon saiddies` reaching a position adjacent said second guide to advance theactive surface of the other die before that of said first die and inalignment with said second inking guide.

29. The herein described art of marking hats, Which consists insupporting a felt hat in predetermined position, drawing an inkingroller across the surface of a printing die to ink the same in onecolor, drawing an inliing roller across the surface ef a second printingdie to ink the same in a different color, and moving said dies as a unitinto the interior of the crown of said hat and against the inner surfaceof al portien of the felt supported against outward deformation, toprint said felt in two colors.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification thiseighth da)y of October, 1923.

RALPH ii. REYNOLDS.

